MarinaNova Asylum

Buffy. Spike. Eric… shit. Any vamps in this damn fishbowl. I need t'know if any of you fed on me last night.

[He didn't remember a damn thing. Could one of them have glamored him or killed him in his sleep?]

[Do not attempt to adjust your television Network monitor. For it is Puck who controls the vertical and the horizon. The loud and the soft. Even the contrast...which is why, whether by chance you happen to catch her over [video] or--surprisingly, even in person ("[Action]")--Zatanna will be appearing in the following outfit, only black and white with a particular theme music seemingly following her around everywhere she goes. Along with a melodramatic 4th wall narrative monologue that isn't supposed to make much sense.]

[That's right; we're going full-on film noir here, baby.]

[She sits at a desk. Well, more like lounging at a desk, with her feet propped up and her (way cool) fedora tilted down over her eyes. Waiting. The simmer heat is relieved only by the crack of a window behind her, and the slow rotating blades of an old ceiling fan.]

Oh, sure, it looked like I was takin' a snooze. But crime never sleeps, and I was already doin' some hard time as it was. Shut up, that totally makes sense. No, I was waitin'. Waitin' for a day that would never come. Or so I thought.

The Maltese Puppy, they called 'em. I called him Robin Jr. Long story. No, I'm not explaining it. Point was, he was missin'. And there was only one person who could help me get him back. Answer questions that needed answerin'. Such as...

[Here, Zatanna lifts up the rim of her hat with one hand, eyebrow raised and looking far more amused at things than she probably should be.]

Do I get to keep the hat when this is all over with?

[He's put this off long enough, and he's concerned that if he doesn't do it soon, then the powers that be (aka, the dick AI's that run the place) will just give him more punishments for insubordination or something.]

Sorry for the interrupting what I'm sure is something very important, but I have an announcement to make.

[Ugh, he doesn't want to do this. But it's just an apology, and he might as well get it over with. There are worse punishments he could have gotten.]

On the evening of Day 204, I assisted in setting fire to one of the prison apartments, resulting in some severe property damage. I would like to apologize for my indiscretion, and for any inconvenience I may have caused the clean-up crews and the previous inhabitants of said apartment.

[That means you, Rebekah and Klaus.]

[Private to: Elena Gilbert, Caroline Forbes, Bonnie Bennett]

I heard about Jenna. [A long pause. Also, surprise! He's not drunk for once.] If you guys need any help, let me know, okay?

[The feed opens up with a close up of Helix's face and he's looking past the camera to someone else, who's holding the device.]

Okay, back up. [They comply and the view reveals that the teen is sitting at a piano.]

How's this?

[Some of you might recognize the soft, southern drawl as Aidan behind the communicator.

Helix nods and breaths deep before settling down on the bench, fingers hovering over the keys. He should probably address everyone and tell them what he's doing, but he thinks it's pretty obvious. So instead, he just starts playing this beautiful piece.

A certain Noah broke his wrist the other day but it seems to be working perfectly now. And when he's finished he closes his eyes, breathes out once more as if coming out of a meditative trance and turns to retrieve his communicator from Aidan.]

That's it. Punishment fulfilled. Carry on.

[And the feed is shut off.]

My designation is Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix 01 and I am 25 years of age. I am a Human-Borg Hybrid, a female of the Human species, and my last known coordinates were located in a region of space approximately 65,000 lightyears from Earth. The year was 2375. I have been imprisoned since Day 184.

[ she opts against stating that her name is annika hansen, despite giving it out to a few people. data. caroline. and saying that she's a human-borg hybrid is a simpler, condensed version of what she is and an explanation she tires of providing. ]

I have shared this information about myself in order to provide that which I am about to ask. In order to better understand the correlation between various worlds, dimensions, and timelines present, more data needs to be collected. Please answer the following questions:

What is your name? How old are you? What is your species? What was your location prior to your imprisonment? What was the year? On which day did you arrive?

Thank you for your time and cooperation. It is... most appreciated. [ click. ]

So tell me about these punishments that we get if we're bad.

[No doubt it's been a long day for some, newbies or standard inmates. Maybe you're lost, worried, feeling kind of alone and like ya need a stiff drink. Maybe you lost someone a few days ago, maybe you were hoping to find someone or head home yourself, but it didn't happen. Or maybe you're just hungry.

In any case, Merlotte's is open for business and the owner, Sam, is almost always there. There's even a pool table! Come on in and relax, forget about your worries and troubles for a while.]

((ooc: this can work like a mingle if you want to thread-jack and use it for an open meeting spot or what have you. This was kind of a random sudden thing, so have at it! If you want Sam just let me know in your header (or on plurk) , or feel free to mark closed threads for you and yours.))

( Superspies gotta overthink )

[But he's not going to get anywhere in an empty building; best to chat up these alleged "inmates" and figure out what's up. He hadn't bandaged his injuries yet, having had other priorities, and decides not to -- that plus the orange outfit will probably encourage people to be extra helpful.]

[Holding his injured left arm close to his body, Michael stumbles out into the street. His head is bleeding and he looks a mess -- like he just jumped off a balcony and landed on a car, in fact. He approaches the nearest person, sizing them up and watching for nonverbal queues.]</small>

Hey... what happened? Where am I? [Playing disoriented works with his head wound, and should hopefully inspire some pity.]

Almost the end of the day, and still no more therapy groups? Was that just a one time thing? C'mon, that's no fun. Here, I've got an idea for one, I'll organize it myself and everything. It's called People Who Are Pissed About Being Kidnapped And Imprisoned Underwater By Judgmental Omniscient Computers.

Seriously, can we move on and fight the final boss and leave now or something?

[Jane comes over the feed. She meant to inform everyone yesterday, but you know how things go here sometimes. You get busy and you really just don't have the time to communicate with the rest of your community.

She's holding up a brochure entitled "Why skipping Group Therapy is Unacceptable".]

So my punishment for skipping group therapy on day one hundred ninety six was to write a brochure stating why my actions were wrong and unacceptable. Anywhere around the prison now you may pick up one of these brochures and give it a read. There are mass quantities placed in the Post Office just in case other places are running out.

[Anyone who picks up a copy will discover that Jane indeed made a brochure. But our of her resentment, and anger towards the good warden Veridical she has made some snide and snarky remarks inside. She will not apologize, and she is certainly NOT sorry for the things she wrote. No worry, it does stick to the theme of "Why skipping Group Therapy is Unacceptable".]

How is everyone? I haven't asked in quite some time.

[Ianto looks as though this all is no more than a mild inconvenience for him, to be resolved momentarily. It’s a lie, of course, and there’s real worry in his eyes if you look for it, but he’s not going to panic just yet. Wouldn’t be the first time he’s been held hostage by aliens or robots or whatever. Might as well try and calmly get some information before working on the inevitable escape plan.]

Hello. Sorry, I know there was that recording and all but I wonder if anyone would be able to give me a bit more information about what’s going on? [A faint smile.] Call it a tendency to distrust authority, AIs or otherwise.

[There's an annoucement for another group, this one meeting in one of the rooms at the education center. This group is specially made for those with issues with the families. When you arrive to the room the chairs will be moved to form a circle. It's to promote a feeling of unity, okay?

There are a set of sample questions written on a dry erase board, but of course, things might go off topic.]

Sample Questions:

1. How many members in your family are there?
2. Have any of them passed away? How?
3. Do you have any siblings? Brothers or sisters? How many?
4. Do you have a good relationship with your mother?
5. Your father?
6. Your siblings (if you have them)?
7. Who are you closest to in your family?
8. If you could change anything about your family, what would you change?

[ooc: you could be forced to this one by the bots, or volunteer, either way goes. And even if you didn't sign up a character for this one, feel free to go for it.]

[The camera clicks on to show Jackie, looking and sounding much less awful than in his last post, sitting in a chair in a dark room. He steeples his fingers and smiles for the camera, charming and composed.]

Hey, kiddies. Just wanted to check in with everyone - couple a weeks ago, I wasn't feeling too hot, but I'm all better now. Just needed to have a chat with some...friends.

[The way he says friends makes the word sound much more mysterious and possibly threatening than it should. Speaking of friends, his eyes dart up - someone is behind the camera, holding it; he nods to them.]

Been catching up with them. You know how it is with buddies you haven't seen in a while. It's always nice to have 'em back.

[Finger-guns at the lens.]

And....cut, boys, that's a rap.

[The camera lowers, but the cameraman forgets to turn it off. Instead, he - or maybe it, since the voice is strange and scratchy and not quite right - responds.]

Nice work, boss. The camera loves ya!

Yeah, yeah, who doesn't. Just cause you're flattering me doesn't mean you get to stay.

[Another voice chimes in.]

But boss, we haven't even done -

Yeah no sneakin' around or killin' -

[But there's a click of a lightswitch, and the voices are gone.

Then there's Jackie puttering around his room until the communicator times out.]

[There is a rather odd disturbance today. Not that there wasn't before, but still. Michiru is standing on a low building near the kiosk. Only she's not wearing her normal attire. This is a tuxedo and a white mask. Probably most noticeable, the cape with a red lining.

The reason "she" is near the kiosk is because of the wardens]

Don't be seduced by his lies! He's filling you with hate! [And she throws a rose she produces out of nowhere at the kiosk]

[ooc: Tuxedo Mask has come to play and is seeking vengeance on the wardens. Be prepared for cheesy lines and over dramatics fighting evil by the moonlight]

[voice]

I suppose I'd better ask: am I the only one seeing things? People, mostly, out of corner of my eye. People who are -- people I know are long, long dead. [ His voice is choked with emotion. ] All of them, every single one. [ He's quiet a long moment. ]

Is this one of the warden's games? [ Now his voice is rising, strident and angry. ] Is this fun for you, or are you simply so busy rebooting that you can't keep track of who's here and who isn't? Is this a system glitch? [ He's practically shouting now. ] It's not funny!

[ He stops abruptly, for an even longer moment. He mutters something before shutting it off. ] Now it feels like prison.

[ ooc: Anyone wanting to watch the Doctor in his frustration is welcome to an action thread just about anywhere you'd like in the dome. He's seeing lots and lots of dead Timelords, so he might not be the best company. ]

( [voice; closed to Rose] )

[ Roxy comes onto the screen looking both a little more sober than she has in most network appearances thus far, and REALLY psyched about something. She's flushed and a little breathless and grinning like she can't stop ]

Okay soooooooo I know that Jane Crocker is like the choicest of chicks around here, 'cause who doesn't want some of that sweet sugar, plus she can bake, and is adorable to boot. [ bounce bounce ] But I'm here to announce that as of today she is officially off limits to AAAAAALL of you! Her smooches are for me and me alone!

[ giggle ]

Oh, and if you want the best cocktails this side of the glass that keeps the ocean from crushing us to death, drop by the Blood Shack some night, I make a killer appletini.

[ gringrinbounce ]

[On your feed today is both Aidan and Helix, Aidan waves at the camera all smiles while Helix just kicks back on their couch. Their apartment is pretty sleek looking, must be in Sector 2.]

So, a few days ago I punched a Wasp in an attempt to protect Aidan from being stung and that apparently counts as Assault, but whatever. I gotto play a stupid game with you now, that’s my punishment so lets make this quick and simple.

I’ll say something I like and you respond with something you like that starts with the next letter of the alphabet. We’ll use the common alphabet, ya know, A through Z just to make it easy on everyone, and just go back and forth.

So, I like Aidan. [Motioning to Aidan. Who grins at the camera on cue.]

And I like Blueberries.

Simple enough? Alright, so, anyone, feel free to respond and play off of each other too, I don’t care. Or address one of us specifically.

In case you’re too duh—[Elbowed by his boyfriend for being rude.] Just start with C or if you catch this later just ask me what letter we’re on or something.

[And at that point Helix says fuck it and pulls a Harmonica out of his pocket and starts to play, eyes closed in concentration as he waits for a response.]

((OOC: Okay, this is pretty much an open game communicator/network mingle-thing. Tag Helix, request Aidan, or tag other threads that are going on. Have fun, do what you like with it, you don’t have to stick to this particular thing. Go through the alphabet, or start over with other topics. Harmonica video is amusing but if you don't want to sit through the instruction, Helix is fiddling around and playing like he is at around 2:38.))

[The last time Jackie got on the network, he sounded angry. Tonight he just sounds exhausted. Maybe even tired enough to make himself ill.]

That's why it came off so fast. You did something to it. Jesus, what the hell did you...

[There's a few moments of heavy breathing before he speaks again, this time louder, addressing his fellow inmates.]

Is there somewhere - somewhere we can see the real sky? Not this weird virtual reality shit, not that - it's not nice or anything, very frikkin' realistic - but I - I don't - I don't trust it. How do we even know what time it is, other than what - those crazy-ass frikkin' - Wardens say? We're gonna just trust 'em?

[Huff, huff. The sound of a head hitting a pillow.]

Christ.

_{[Well, here is an Ashura at his morning tea, looking pensive, as if somehow expecting the tea to taste different.]}

You know, in all the commotion of yesterday, I rather forgot I had turned 279. Odd, isn't it, how you can forget something like that? I had thought... I would feel different on that realization, but I suppose we all expect that and it never really happens. Maybe that will happen at 280, a milestone of sorts.

What do you all usually do for your birthdays in your worlds? Any special customs?

[A very cross Jane comes over the network, she's sitting in her and Roxy's shared room in their home. It seems she is tired, cranky, and very unhappy. She has a lot to say and not enough patience to say it.

Her lip is quirked in a way that even reads angry.]

Good mid-morning Marina. As part of my punishment for defending myself, I'm supposed to share a secret about myself. I mulled over my limited possibilities in things I could have to share with all of you.

So here it is, my name Jane Crocker is undeniably linked with the empire known to most of you as "Betty Crocker". In fact, I am the heiress to the company because she's apparently my great great grandma or something of that nature. But that status doesn't really matter anymore.

[So it was really just a way to get this punishment out of the way. Please pester her for baked goods.]